Welcome to the fascinating story of the Future Farmers of America, now known as the National FFA Organization. It all began in the 1920s, a time when agriculture was the backbone of America, yet the number of young people interested in farming was dwindling. Seeing this, a group of forward-thinking agricultural educators from Virginia set out to reignite the passion for farming among the youth. Among them were Henry C. Groseclose, Walter Newman, Edmund Magill, and Harry Sanders, who founded the Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV) in 1925 at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Their vision was to create an organization that would offer young farm boys opportunities for leadership development and a sense of pride in their agricultural roots.
Fast forward to 1928, the seeds of this local initiative grew into a national movement. At the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri, 33 young students from 18 states gathered at the Baltimore Hotel to establish the Future Farmers of America. Leslie Applegate of New Jersey was elected as the organization’s first president, and they adopted a national emblem similar to that of the FFV. The organization aimed to provide leadership training and agricultural education to high school students across the nation.
Throughout its history, the FFA has been at the forefront of innovation and inclusivity. During its early years, the organization set its official colors as national blue and corn gold in 1929 and adopted the iconic blue corduroy jackets in 1933, which remain a symbol of FFA membership today. As the organization expanded, it merged with the New Farmers of America in 1965, an organization for African American agriculture students, marking a significant step towards inclusivity.
The FFA has continued to evolve, reflecting changes in agriculture and education. In 1988, recognizing the diverse interests of its members beyond traditional farming, the organization changed its name to the National FFA Organization. Today, FFA is a dynamic youth organization that prepares its members for leadership and careers in the global agriculture industry.
The National FFA Organization remains deeply committed to developing the potential of its members through hands-on learning experiences and leadership training. From its humble beginnings in Kansas City to becoming one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, FFA continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture and empowering the next generation of leaders.
